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Confronting prejudice in Peanuts parody ‘Dog Sees God’
If you read the Peanuts comic strips by Charles Schulz, chances are, you've thought about Marcy and Peppermint Patty growing up to be a cute lesbian couple. No extensive thoughts about their bedroom habits, just a feeling that they're very good together, you know?
Spoilers: That's not what happens in "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" by Bert Royal.
Apparently, Patty...or should we say "Tricia" (played by Kathleen Francisco) has turned into Regina George. And Marcy (played by Maronne Cruz) is now her very own Gretchen Wieners. And they have a threesome with someone?
What happened? Quick answer: Life.
"Dog Sees God" is the maiden production of Twin Bill Theater and they're taking a page from the Red Turnip handbook by going more intimate and accessible to the generation now fondly referred to as Millennials. ("Intimate," if you're not familiar, has become synonymous with "small venue without a stage" and is perfect for people who want to enjoy a show without worrying about which tie to wear.)
Royal, also the man who penned the Emma Stone starrer "Easy A", narrowly avoids writing a clichéd tale of puberty woes by anchoring these dramatic changes in personality on characters who are familiar.
Regardless of the amount of knowledge you have of Peanuts, you'll be faced to confront your feelings about one...or any of them not measuring up to your expectations.
It feels at times like a long fan fiction really and perhaps, while watching it, you'll have brief flashes of "What? No. He's not like that" and "Is that something she would do?" (Additionally: "Is this what I looked like to my parents? Is this how they feel?")
Frankly, even the characters are confused about the changes they're experiencing. They're teenagers after all. At the heart of the play is Beethoven (loosely based on Schroeder), who has withdrawn further in himself as the kids he has known all his life have turned into...well, as previously pointed out, Patty is now a mean girl.
Vince Lim plays Beethoven cleverly, revealing in subtle gestures the conflict inside him. In a conversation with C.B. (loosely based on Charlie Brown, played by Nel Gomez), Beethoven admits his confusion about attraction and sexuality. Coming out seems like such a big step, but what about those who don't know which box to check yet?
Royal discusses such complexities and, through Lim's outstanding performance, we see it happen to someone you know. And if you're a fan of Peanuts and Schroeder in particular, someone you love. How do we feel about this, really?
A brief appearance by Van's sister (loosely based on Lucy) could have been another highlight of the show, but some lines failed to make it out of Sarah Facuri's lips clearly.
The production is bare and hinges on the commitment of the cast. Pity that at times Matt (loosely based on Pigpen, played by Brian Sy), Tricia, Marcy, and Van (loosely based on Linus, played by Gab Medina) feel like stereotypes with funny lines, because the actors do try their best. — BM, GMA News
Catch "Dog Sees God: Confession of a Teenage Blockhead" on February 11, 12, 13, 14 and 26 at 9 p.m. and February 14 at 3:30 p.m. at Staple and Perk, Eco Plaza, Pasong Tamo Extension (Chino Roces Avenue), Makati City. For tickets, contact (0927) 460 4652.
